Hawthorne C. Gray

Hawthorne Charles Gray (February 16, 1889 – November 4, 1927) was a captain in the United States Army Air Corps. On May 4, 1927, he succeeded in setting a new altitude record in a silk, rubberized, and aluminum-coated balloon launched from Scott Field near Belleville, Illinois, reaching a human world altitude record of . This record was not recognized by the FAI because Gray parachuted out of the balloon and did not land with his vehicle as per FAI rules. On November 4, 1927, Gray broke his own record by reaching more than 43,000 ft (13.1 km), but died during his descent after his oxygen supply became depleted. The record was recognized by the National Aeronautical Association, but not by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale because the dead aeronaut "was not in personal possession of his instruments."

Early life and career

Gray was born on February 16, 1889, in Pasco, Washington. He was the son of William Polk Gray (1845–1929), a prominent steamboat captain in the Northwestern United States, and Oceana Falkland Bush. Hawthorne Gray was a graduate of the University of Idaho. Gray was commissioned a second lieutenant on June 2, 1917, and transferred with the rank of captain to what was then the United States Army Air Service in 1920.

Record-setting balloon flights On March 9, 1927, Gray set an unofficial altitude record of in a balloon launched from Scott Field, but passed out from hypoxia in the thin air, regaining consciousness only just in time to drop ballast and slow his fall after the balloon descended on its own. On May 4, Gray set an unofficial record for highest altitude reached by a human being, as he attained in a balloon over Belleville. Because of the rapid descent of the balloon, Gray parachuted out at , disqualifying him from recognition by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), which required that the balloonist land with his craft. It is also possible that Gray became too cold and tired to open the valve on one of his oxygen tanks, or that an internal organ was ruptured by decreasing pressure. Aeronaut Albert Leo Stevens believed that Gray died during descent or on impact. His widowed wife and three remaining sons received his Army Air Corps insurance and $2,700, the equivalent of six months’ pay.

Personal life Gray was married to Miriam Lorette Maddux. They had a son, John Maddux Gray, who died when he was a year old. Gray was survived by his widow and three other sons.